14/11/2025 by Jay Hatton
Global oil and gas group Shell recently introduced condition monitoring in real time of equipment onboard ships, including engines and the lubricant they require to operate efficiently.
The energy giant has developed a new sensor-based service it has nicknamed “digital deckhand” that can help seafarers maintain and manage power and propulsion equipment.
Technically titled the “Shell Marine Sensor Service”, or SMSS for short, the innovative solution was created to continuously assess equipment and lubricating oil to empower ship operators to enhance business resilience and increase vessel uptime.
It lets crews detect issues and quickly act on valuable insights before they result in larger problems like damage or mechanical failure. It also allows them to spot drops in performance so they can resolve them effectively.
SMSS also assists operators to maximise oil fills and facilitates longer drain intervals for maintenance crews servicing vessels with high-speed engines. To operate correctly, it needs two key components onboard, a display that has been preconfigured to show a basic traffic light system and an inline sensor to provide real-time data.
The service works offline, supplying readings on the condition of various types of onboard equipment, and gives immediate alerts if problems occur like lubricant degradation or water ingress.
Data collected from sensors and service alerts can also be shared with Shell technical staff onshore for further analysis, and to help Shell offer bespoke recommendations regarding renewing lubricants and maintenance. SMSS is suitable to use in all engine types.
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